The former Shamrock Dry Cleaners Site encompasses approximately 0.4 acres. The structures in which the dry cleaning businesses and apartments were located have been removed from the Site. A portion of the concrete foundations still exists, as well as an area vegetated with trees and brush on the southeastern side of the property. The property is located in a densely populated area of Derry, NH. Abutting properties include two restaurants and several multi-tenant apartment complexes.
Tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or “PCE”) was historically used in Site dry cleaning operations from approximately 1984 – 2001. Prior to 1984, dry-cleaning was performed using “Stoddard solvent” (i.e., petroleum hydrocarbon) based cleaners.
On October 16, 2006 at the request of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), EPA along with representatives from EPA’s Weston Solutions, Inc. Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor initiated a Removal Program Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation (PA/SI) at the Derry, NH property.
On October 20, 2006, START completed the sampling portion of the PA/SI and collected a total of 32 surface soil samples, 32 subsurface soil samples, 9 soil gas samples and 5 groundwater samples (collected from monitoring wells previously installed by NHDES). The surface soil, subsurface soils, and soil gas samples were analyzed for VOC, SVOCs, and metals. The surface water samples were analyzed for VOCs, BNAs and metals.
During the PA/SI, EPA identified that volatile hydrocarbons exist, as health and safety monitoring devices indicate the presence of both photo-ionizing and flame-ionizing chemicals. Soil, soil gas, and groundwater samples collected during the PA/SI revealed the presence of elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene.
Based on the findings, the PA/SI was closed, and a removal action was recommended in the closure memo dated November 27, 2006.
